A More Subtle Amaretto Sour

Amaretto Sour (Jeffrey Morgenthaler, Clyde Common, Portland, OR)

Just a couple blocks away from Teardrop Lounge in Portland, Clyde Common is tucked into the Ace Hotel, home to flannel and beard sporting locavores who look like they've just come back from cutting their own Christmas tree year-round. Head barman and avid cocktail blogger Jeffrey Morgenthaler soothes the Portlandia set with his eminently balanced, seasonally inspired concoctions; his surprise ace in the hole is a 1970s throwback: The Amaretto Sour. Long relegated to the history books for being almost poisonously sweet, the drink has been relaunched by Morgenthaler in a version that's a bit less toxic tasting, but is still anchored with cask-proof bourbon and ended with a manly finish (and egg white). "The almondy-sweet Amaretto Sour conjures up holiday memories of marzipan, sour candies, and the whole shebang is finished with a brandied cherry," explains Morgenthaler, with justifiable pride. "Holiday drink, indeed."